The complex CBX7-PRMT1 has a critical role in regulating E-cadherin gene expression and cell migration

Publication date: Available online 28 February 2019Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Gene Regulatory MechanismsAuthor(s): Antonella Federico, Romina Sepe, Flora Cozzolino, Claudia Piccolo, Carla Iannone, Ilaria Iacobucci, Piero Pucci, Maria Monti, Alfredo FuscoAbstractThe Chromobox protein homolog 7 (CBX7) belongs to the Polycomb Group (PcG) family, and, as part of the Polycomb repressive complex (PRC1), contributes to maintain transcriptional gene repression. Loss of CBX7 expression has been reported in several human malignant neoplasias, where it often correlates with an advanced cancer state and poor survival, proposing CBX7 as a candidate tumor-suppressor gene in cancer progression. Indeed, CBX7 is able to positively or negatively regulate the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and cancer progression, such as E-cadherin, cyclin E, osteopontin, EGR1.To understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie the involvement of CBX7 in cancer progression, we designed a functional proteomic experiment based on CHIP-MS to identify novel CBX7 protein partners. Among the identified CBX7-interacting proteins we focused our attention on the Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) whose critical role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer cell migration and invasion has been already reported. We confirmed the interaction between CBX7 and PRMT1 and demonstrated that this interaction is crucial for PRMT1 enzymatic activity both in vitro and in v...
Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) Gene Regulatory Mechanisms - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research